For many people who would have watched closely, there is hardly any public function that President Goodluck Jonathan goes without his Aide De Camp right behind him like the rock of Gibraltar. They also ride in the same vehicle and fly in the same presidential jet.
The ADC is said to be close to the President than anyone else, except the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. Last week, Jonathan's ADC, Ojogbane Adegbe moved from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to the higher rank of Colonel in the Nigerian Army.
Jonathan, who personally decorated Adegbe, with his new rank charged him to do more in line of duty. The President said: "When you are given higher authority you are expected to perform according to your status. We hope that whatever you have been doing very well you will even do more. We wish you success in your career. "To wear a rank is very prestigious.
When you are given higher authority you are expected to perform more. "We have to thank God for today, whatsoever happens to a man, he gives glory to God. Privileges and opportunities that we have are not necessarily by our own efforts.
No matter how you struggle in life if it is not the will of God that you get what you see yourself getting, you may not." Recalling his experience in uniform, Jonathan said: "To wear a rank is very prestigious. I entered the preventive service of the customs, then it was called custom police before the merger and after school certificate we were recruited as assistant preventive officers to level three with sea green epaulets no rank.
"After your school certificate, if you made it they give you one stripe preventive officer. When I got that the rank, I was happier than the day that I convocated for my PhD", he said' Speaking at the end of the decoration, Adegbe thanked God for the opportunity and the promotion. He said: "Promotion comes from God alone and this has not been because I deserve it but because God who shows mercy and grace has allowed it to happen."
He thanked the President for finding the time to personally take charge of the decoration.
Well maybe that is how GEJ wants it to be done. Its nothing but his choice